As you navigate the Norwegian professional landscape, mastering key verbs is paramount. Your ability to articulate previous roles, responsibilities, and achievements in Norwegian will not only enhance your communication but also demonstrate your commitment to integrating into the Norwegian work culture. Think of these verbs as the essential tools in your linguistic toolkit, allowing you to sculpt a compelling narrative of your professional journey for potential employers.
Before delving into specific verbs, a brief overview of Norwegian verb conjugation is crucial. Unlike English, Norwegian verbs generally do not change their form based on the subject (e.g., “I work,” “you work,” “he works”). Instead, they change their form based on tense. This simplifies learning but requires careful attention to the past and perfect tenses, which are frequently used when describing past experience. Start your 1-to-1 private Norwegian class today.
Present Tense (Presens)
The present tense is used to describe current actions or states. For regular verbs, it often ends in -er.
- F.eks. (For example): Jeg jobber (I work), hun leder (she leads).
Past Tense (Preteritum)
The past tense is used for actions completed in the past. Regular verbs often end in -et, -te, or -de. Irregular verbs require memorization.
- F.eks.: Jeg jobbet (I worked), hun ledet (she led).
Present Perfect Tense (Presens Perfektum)
The present perfect tense is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present, or for past actions with a present relevance. It is formed with har (have) + the past participle.
- F.eks.: Jeg har jobbet (I have worked), hun har ledet (she has led).
Past Perfect Tense (Preteritum Perfektum)
The past perfect tense is used for actions completed before another past action. It is formed with hadde (had) + the past participle.
- F.eks.: Jeg hadde jobbet før jeg flyttet (I had worked before I moved), hun hadde ledet prosjektet da han kom (she had led the project when he arrived).
Verbs for Operational Responsibilities and Core Duties
When discussing your day-to-day tasks and central functions, a precise vocabulary is essential. These verbs provide the foundational blocks for describing what you did.
Å Jobbe / Å Arbeide (To work)
These are the most common and interchangeable verbs for “to work.” While seemingly basic, they are fundamental for stating your employment history.
- Å jobbe som…: To work as… (e.g., Jeg jobbet som prosjektleder i tre år. – I worked as a project manager for three years.)
- Å jobbe med…: To work with… (e.g., Jeg jobbet med kundeforhold. – I worked with client relations.)
- Å arbeide innenfor…: To work within… (e.g., Jeg arbeidet innenfor finanssektoren. – I worked within the financial sector.)
Å Utføre (To perform, to carry out)
This verb signifies the execution of specific tasks or duties, implying a degree of active engagement and completion.
- Å utføre oppgaver: To perform tasks (e.g., Jeg utførte administrative oppgaver. – I performed administrative tasks.)
- Å utføre analyser: To carry out analyses (e.g., Jeg utførte dypgående analyser av markedstrender. – I carried out in-depth analyses of market trends.)
Å Behandle (To process, to handle, to treat)
“Å behandle” is versatile, particularly useful when describing work involving data, customer inquiries, or specific procedures.
- Å behandle henvendelser: To handle inquiries (e.g., Jeg behandlet kundehenvendelser daglig. – I handled customer inquiries daily.)
- Å behandle informasjon: To process information (e.g., Jeg behandlet sensitiv bedriftsinformasjon. – I processed sensitive company information.)
Å Forvalte (To manage, to administer, to oversee)
This verb implies a broader responsibility for assets, resources, or systems, suggesting a stewardship role.
- Å forvalte budsjetter: To manage budgets (e.g., Jeg forvaltet et årlig budsjett på 5 millioner kroner. – I managed an annual budget of 5 million NOK.)
- Å forvalte eiendommer: To manage properties (e.g., Jeg forvaltet en portefølje av kommersielle eiendommer. – I managed a portfolio of commercial properties.)
Å Vedlikeholde (To maintain)
Essential for roles involving systems, infrastructure, or continuous operational care.
- Å vedlikeholde systemer: To maintain systems (e.g., Jeg vedlikeholdt IT-systemene for over 200 brukere. – I maintained the IT systems for over 200 users.)
- Å vedlikeholde kundeforhold: To maintain customer relationships (e.g., Jeg vedlikeholdt sterke kundeforhold gjennom proaktiv kommunikasjon. – I maintained strong customer relationships through proactive communication.)
Verbs for Leadership, Management, and Collaboration
Beyond individual tasks, employers are often interested in your capacity to lead, manage, and work effectively within teams. These verbs convey your prowess in these areas.
Å Lede (To lead, to head)
A crucial verb for anyone with managerial or leadership experience. It directly states your capacity to guide and direct.
- Å lede et team/prosjekt: To lead a team/project (e.g., Jeg ledet et team på ti utviklere. – I led a team of ten developers.)
- Å lede utviklingen av…: To lead the development of… (e.g., Jeg ledet utviklingen av en ny programvareløsning. – I led the development of a new software solution.)
Å Administrere (To administer, to manage)
While similar to “å forvalte,” “å administrere” often focuses more on the organisational and procedural aspects of management.
- Å administrere ressurser: To administer resources (e.g., Jeg administrerte tids- og økonomiske ressurser effektivt. – I administered time and financial resources effectively.)
- Å administrere prosjekter: To administer projects (e.g., Jeg administrerte flere parallelle prosjekter. – I administered several parallel projects.)
Å Koornere (To coordinate)
Indicates your ability to bring together different elements or individuals to achieve a common goal.
- Å koordinere aktiviteter: To coordinate activities (e.g., Jeg koordinerte markedsføringsaktiviteter med salgsavdelingen. – I coordinated marketing activities with the sales department.)
- Å koordinere samarbeid: To coordinate collaboration (e.g., Jeg koordinerte samarbeid mellom interne og eksterne partnere. – I coordinated collaboration between internal and external partners.)
Å Samarbeide (To collaborate, to cooperate)
Emphasises your teamwork skills and ability to work effectively with others.
- Å samarbeide med kolleger: To collaborate with colleagues (e.g., Jeg samarbeidet tett med kolleger for å nå felles mål. – I collaborated closely with colleagues to achieve common goals.)
- Å samarbeide om løsninger: To collaborate on solutions (e.g., Vi samarbeidet om å finne innovative løsninger. – We collaborated on finding innovative solutions.)
Å Veilede (To guide, to mentor)
Shows a capacity for nurturing talent and providing direction to others.
- Å veilede yngre ansatte: To guide younger employees (e.g., Jeg veiledet yngre ansatte i deres karriereutvikling. – I guided younger employees in their career development.)
- Å veilede studenter: To mentor students (e.g., Jeg veiledet studenter gjennom deres praksisperiode. – I mentored students through their internship period.)
Verbs for Achievement, Development, and Impact
When detailing your professional experience, it’s not enough to simply list duties. You need to highlight your achievements and the impact you had. These verbs act as spotlights, drawing attention to your contributions.
Å Oppnå (To achieve, to obtain)
This verb is a powerful tool for quantifying success and demonstrating results.
- Å oppnå resultater: To achieve results (e.g., Jeg oppnådde en økning i salget på 15 %. – I achieved a 15% increase in sales.)
- Å oppnå mål: To achieve goals (e.g., Jeg oppnådde alle prosjektmål innenfor tidsrammen. – I achieved all project goals within the timeframe.)
Å Utvikle (To develop, to elaborate)
Highlights innovation, growth, and the creation of new things or processes.
- Å utvikle nye strategier: To develop new strategies (e.g., Jeg utviklet og implementerte nye markedsføringsstrategier. – I developed and implemented new marketing strategies.)
- Å utvikle ferdigheter: To develop skills (e.g., Jeg utviklet avanserte ferdigheter innen dat analyse. – I developed advanced skills in data analysis.)
Å Forbedre (To improve)
Focuses on your ability to optimise processes, systems, or outcomes.
- Å forbedre prosesser: To improve processes (e.g., Jeg forbedret operasjonelle prosesser, noe som reduserte kostnadene. – I improved operational processes, which reduced costs.)
- Å forbedre kundetilfredshet: To improve customer satisfaction (e.g., Mine initiativer forbedret kundetilfredsheten betydelig. – My initiatives significantly improved customer satisfaction.)
Å Skape (To create, to generate)
Indicates your ability to bring something new into existence, whether it’s an idea, a product, or an opportunity.
- Å skape løsninger: To create solutions (e.g., Jeg skapte innovative løsninger for komplekse problemer. – I created innovative solutions for complex problems.)
- Å skape verdi: To create value (e.g., Jeg skapte merverdi for selskapet gjennom målrettede prosjekter. – I created added value for the company through targeted projects.)
Å Implementere (To implement)
Shows your practical ability to put plans or strategies into action.
- Å implementere systemer: To implement systems (e.g., Jeg implementerte et nytt ERP-system. – I implemented a new ERP system.)
- Å implementere endringer: To implement changes (e.g., Jeg implementerte organisatoriske endringer for å øke effektiviteten. – I implemented organizational changes to increase efficiency.)
Verbs for Communication and Representation
| Norwegian Verb | English Translation | Usage in Professional Context | Example Sentence (Norwegian) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arbeide | Work | Describing general work activities | Jeg har arbeidet som prosjektleder i fem år. | I have worked as a project manager for five years. |
| Ledet | Led | Indicating leadership roles | Hun ledet teamet gjennom en krevende periode. | She led the team through a challenging period. |
| Utvikle | Develop | Referring to creating or improving products/processes | Vi utviklet en ny programvare for kundeservice. | We developed new software for customer service. |
| Administrere | Manage | Managing projects, teams, or resources | Han administrerte budsjettet for avdelingen. | He managed the department’s budget. |
| Planlegge | Plan | Planning tasks or projects | Jeg planla markedsføringskampanjen for lanseringen. | I planned the marketing campaign for the launch. |
| Gjennomføre | Execute/Carry out | Executing tasks or projects | Teamet gjennomførte prosjektet innen tidsfristen. | The team executed the project within the deadline. |
| Forbedre | Improve | Improving processes or performance | Vi forbedret kundetilfredsheten med nye tiltak. | We improved customer satisfaction with new initiatives. |
| Analysere | Analyse | Analysing data or situations | Jeg analyserte markedstrender for å støtte beslutninger. | I analysed market trends to support decisions. |
| Kommunisere | Communicate | Describing communication skills | Hun kommuniserte effektivt med både kunder og kolleger. | She communicated effectively with both clients and colleagues. |
| Koordinere | Coordinate | Coordinating activities or teams | Jeg koordinerte samarbeidet mellom ulike avdelinger. | I coordinated collaboration between different departments. |
In any professional role, effective communication is vital. These verbs demonstrate your proficiency in conveying information, negotiating, and representing your organisation.
Å Kommunisere (To communicate)
The fundamental verb for conveying information. Always consider the context, e.g., “clearly,” “effectively.”
- Å kommunisere effektivt: To communicate effectively (e.g., Jeg kommuniserte effektivt med interessenter på alle nivåer. – I communicated effectively with stakeholders at all levels.)
- Å kommunisere resultater: To communicate results (e.g., Jeg kommuniserte prosjektresultater til ledelsen. – I communicated project results to management.)
Å Presentere (To present)
Essential for roles requiring public speaking, reporting, or pitching ideas.
- Å presentere analyser: To present analyses (e.g., Jeg presenterte markedsanalyser for styret. – I presented market analyses to the board.)
- Å presentere ideer: To present ideas (e.g., Jeg presenterte nye forretningsideer for potensielle investorer. – I presented new business ideas to potential investors.)
Å Forhandle (To negotiate)
Crucial for sales, procurement, and any role involving conflict resolution or agreement-making.
- Å forhandle kontrakter: To negotiate contracts (e.g., Jeg forhandlet og sikret lukrative kontrakter med leverandører. – I negotiated and secured lucrative contracts with suppliers.)
- Å forhandle priser: To negotiate prices (e.g., Jeg forhandlet gunstige priser på varer og tjenester. – I negotiated favourable prices on goods and services.)
Å Rapportere (To report)
Highlights your ability to document and convey information systematically.
- Å rapportere fremdrift: To report progress (e.g., Jeg rapporterte prosjektfremdrift ukentlig. – I reported project progress weekly.)
- Å rapportere resultater: To report results (e.g., Jeg rapporterte finansielle resultater til toppledelsen. – I reported financial results to top management.)
Å Konsultere (To consult)
Indicates expertise and the ability to provide advice or specialist opinions.
- Å konsultere kunder: To consult clients (e.g., Jeg konsulterte kunder om beste praksis innen feltet. – I consulted clients on best practices in the field.)
- Å konsultere fagpersoner: To consult experts (e.g., Jeg konsulterte fagpersoner for å sikre nøyaktig informasjon. – I consulted experts to ensure accurate information.)
Verbs for Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
Employers seek individuals who can identify challenges, analyse situations, and make sound decisions. These verbs articulate your capabilities in these critical areas.
Å Analysere (To analyse)
Demonstrates your ability to break down complex information into understandable components.
- Å analysere data: To analyse data (e.g., Jeg analyser data for å identifisere trender. – I analysed data to identify trends.)
- Å analysere markeder: To analyse markets (e.g., Jeg analyser nye markeder for vekstmuligheter. – I analysed new markets for growth opportunities.)
Å Evaluere (To evaluate)
Shows your capacity to assess the effectiveness or value of something.
- Å evaluere prosjekter: To evaluate projects (e.g., Jeg evaluerte prosjektets suksesskriterier og utfallet. – I evaluated the project’s success criteria and outcome.)
- Å evaluere risiko: To evaluate risk (e.g., Jeg evaluerte potensiell risiko og utviklet avbøtende strategier. – I evaluated potential risk and developed mitigation strategies.)
Å Løse (To solve)
A direct and impactful verb indicating your ability to overcome challenges.
- Å løse problemer: To solve problems (e.g., Jeg løste komplekse tekniske problemer effektivt. – I solved complex technical problems efficiently.)
- Å løse konflikter: To resolve conflicts (e.g., Jeg løste konflikter mellom teammedlemmer på en konstruktiv måte. – I resolved conflicts between team members constructively.)
Å Ta Beslutninger (To make decisions)
Crucial for roles requiring initiative and responsibility. The verb å ta (to take) is used here.
- Å ta strategiske beslutninger: To make strategic decisions (e.g., Jeg tok strategiske beslutninger som påvirket bedriftens retning. – I made strategic decisions that influenced the company’s direction.)
- Å ta informerte beslutninger: To make informed decisions (e.g., Jeg tok informerte beslutninger basert på grundig analyse. – I made informed decisions based on thorough analysis.)
Å Anbefale (To recommend)
Demonstrates your ability to draw conclusions and propose courses of action.
- Å anbefale strategier: To recommend strategies (e.g., Jeg anbefalte nye strategier for å forbedre markedsandelen. – I recommended new strategies to improve market share.)
- Å anbefale løsninger: To recommend solutions (e.g., Jeg anbefalte kostnadseffektive løsninger for kundebehov. – I recommended cost-effective solutions for client needs.)
As you construct your CV and prepare for interviews, consider these verbs not merely as vocabulary entries but as strategic building blocks. Each carefully chosen verb can amplify the specific skills and experiences you wish to highlight. For instance, instead of merely stating ’Jeg jobbet for å forbedre’ (I worked to improve), use the more assertive ’Jeg forbedret…’ (I improved…).
For those actively pursuing employment in Norway, the nuances of expressing professional experience in Norwegian are particularly critical. This is where dedicated, individualised instruction can provide an unparalleled advantage. The NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo offers 1-to-1 private courses that are specifically tailored to the needs of job seekers. These courses provide an intensive environment where you can practice articulating your professional history, achievements, and aspirations with a native-speaking instructor. You’ll receive immediate feedback on your verb usage, pronunciation, and the overall clarity and impact of your professional narrative. Such personalised training is invaluable for building the confidence and linguistic precision required to impress Norwegian employers and seamlessly transition into the Norwegian professional environment. These courses act as a linguistic bridge, connecting your existing professional expertise with the specific expectations of the Norwegian job market.